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Universalists' Luck = LOTS of yellow stars?

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Universalists' Luck = LOTS of yellow stars?

from Stardock Forums
Alright, I decided I'd try to see just how "lucky" the Universalists are... and, unless it's just *me* that's lucky, I'd say it's an interesting party to try - here's my anecdotal evidence, take it for what it's worth...

I started a new game in a Gigantic galaxy (loose clusters), with Common (default) number of habitable planets. (AI was set to Normal, but that's really not important here.) First thing I notice is that I've got an extra habitable planet around Sol - not rare, but a good start nonetheless. Turns out there are two more yellow stars (with a total of three 15+ planets) in my ORIGINAL sector.

Let me skip to the ending - after initial scouting and HEAVY colonization, I've only explored 18 of the neighboring sectors (others with systems in them are distant). Out of those 18 sectors, there are 57 systems... 30 of which are yellow stars (out of these, 2 are inhabited by a minor race - doomed, I tell you)!!! A total of 36 planets of 15+ quality or better in only 18 sectors... wow!

So, it's only 2183 and I've got 24 colonies with ships being built to fill the rest... Suh-WEET! :d

Anybody else run across potentially concrete examples of the fixed "luck" of the Universalists?
1,675 views 43 replies
Reply #26 from Stardock Forums Top
Anyone tried the new, improved luck pick with the universalist party yet?

It's my next game pick.... just got to get the current one finished.

~SDC~
Reply #27 from Stardock Forums Top
Well, I finally finished the Gigantic game that I started with the Universalists (the one that started all this hubbub)... anyway, I tried to submit my score to the Metaverse and got a ZIPPO, Nada, nil... 0. Says my difficulty level was "anomalous", but I *swear* I didn't do anything! It was at Beginner, I think - but still... ah well, guess I have to win it all over again...
Star Control: Origins
Reply #28 from Stardock Forums Top
I've been able to roll over my opponents with Luck and +15% PQ. I wasn't able to win as easily with +15% PQ and Creative. But, that has been just 2 games (not sure how to submit, can't get SD to work right) and the second just crashed on me 3 turns from my influence win. And yes, I tend to find lots and lots of good stars near Sol.
I would like to know a little more about Brave, Creative, and Luck, however. It is hard to decide how useful they are. I didn't notice anything different with creative. I never found a ranger with Luck - but both times another civ found something that gave them "increasing wealth and power - better kill them now." First, the Altarians, 10 turns from my culture victory (I allied with them). Second, the Evil Alexians, with just 1 planet, who I culturally annexed.

More info would be nice, even if it is somewhat spoilerish.
Reply #29 from Stardock Forums Top
"so far is Large map and all the civs knocking on my door right away"

i have had thos problem on Gigantic maps think it was 10 civsall major and sevral minors.

as for luck ability giving a good starting loc. forget it i have played universalists since it came to be and have gotten evrything from a corner with 2 planets near(one of which was habitable) to middle in with 3 26 planets. all luck does IMO is give good events evrey once and a whilemost iv3e gotten is 3 rangers an economic boom and a 35 planet in one game
Reply #30 from Stardock Forums Top
This reminds me of that simpsons episode about the bear in springfield.

Lisa :It is like me saying that this rock deters bears
Homer: Does it really lisa?
Lisa: Do you see any bears around?
Homer: I give you $50 for it.
Lisa takes the money.

I haven't seen that episode for ages so the description of the episode might be off. ;)
Reply #31 from Stardock Forums Top
One more thing I wanted to add:

Starting position does affect the game but I think there is always a way to make a bad situation good ;p

With that said...my metaverse score, unfortunately, does not reflect that :sniff!:
Reply #32 from Stardock Forums Top
According to Brad on the csipgs newsgroup the Creative pick gives you a chance to land a tech that turn whether you have researched it yet or not. I played with Creative twice, and only seen one free tech, so at the present time it's underpowered. But then, it is only 1 ability point, so I wouldn't expect it to kick in all that often.

I imagine that Courage gives you better combat numbers when your planet is defending against a transport invasion (as opposed to the Soldier ability which makes you better when you are the invader).
Reply #33 from Stardock Forums Top
I jsust started a RARE game as Universalists & +25% luck trait and had 4 yellow stars, including a 28 (I think - its low 30s now) in my home sector, + another 15 in Sol system. I like this idea :)
I'm isolated on a large map - only just started meeting peeps and I'm the leading civ with the biggest military, by far the biggest economy and more research than anyone else (Normal civs).
This is my best chance yet to go for a tech-victory (I keep culture-blatting the place on my way to tech utopia)

~SDC~
Reply #35 from Stardock Forums Top
Currently playing the Univeralists. The Drengin were leading, building up their forces I am sure, and almost ready to start throwing their weight around, and they are a neighbour. But then the Fundamentalists rise against evil, and 90% of the Drengin worlds are gone. Drengin down to last place. Sounds lucky to me :)

1.03 / Large galaxy / Normal

~SDC~
Reply #36 from Stardock Forums Top
Chuckchippe, my bad :)

You not a staff member from the simpsons are you???? :D
Reply #37 from Stardock Forums Top
I'm playing Universaltits currently... got only one other star in the Sol sector, no 15+ planet, besides Earth, in the Sol system. But I did get a minor civ in the sector north of Sol (class 22) that I invaded. :)

I did notice, however, that the usual screw-you-over events haven't happened yet. The only precursor find was by me (for 53 Corvettes! Improved by my current +60% weapons, +40%defense, +30%speed!), there hasn't been any jail or zoo escapes (not that I had either), no ecomony plunging either.


~SDC~
Reply #38 from Stardock Forums Top
I would give up trying to say how your game was, that dude will argue with you no matter what you say you seen in your game. Quite funny the way ego's in these forums fly back and forth. What is the point to be right all the time. Come on. LOL Good humor anyways thanks guys. ;)

~SDC~
Reply #39 from Stardock Forums Top
i played as universalists and didnt get any beneficial random events the whole game, but the arceans got 3 "free ranger" events within a couple turns and the altarians got tons of free corvettes and the drengin got the upgrade all near by planets event, and i only was playing for around 10-15 minutes

~SDC~
Reply #40 from Stardock Forums Top
I have noticed hitting Ctrl-N a few times seems to give you more yellow planets.

Also, when I select "lucky", I often end up with a resource in my home sector.

It could all be in my head though...
Reply #41 from Stardock Forums Top
I would like to point out that a great starting position doesn't necessarily mean that you're going to win the game. The random events can change the balance.
Reply #42 from Stardock Forums Top
John Doe, your post might have been tongue-in-cheek, but I have to say that of course if you hit ctrl-N a few times you'll get more yellow planets, because as soon as you have more yellow planets you'll stop hitting ctrl-N. ;)
Reply #43 from Stardock Forums Top
"I would like to point out that a great starting position doesn't necessarily mean that you're going to win the game. The random events can change the balance." You don't even need random events :p
I had what I thought was the greatest starting position in the history of the universe yesterday, but failed to build up my military fast enough and it turned out the Drengin had received the 2nd best starting position in the history of the universe and were right next door.

The game ended with my total extermination with me at war with all 5 AIs.